•By Halimah Olamide
As the year 2023 winds down, reflecting on the fun events and personalities of the year has been such a rollercoaster of nostalgia and excitement, particularly in the entertainment industry.
The Nigerian entertainment industry which is one of the fastest growing in the country, particularly Nollywood, music, and comedy, has recorded remarkable growth and influence, not just within Africa but on a global scale.
With vast research in no particular order, the list of top Nigerian entertainers of 2023 is as follows:
BURNA BOY
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, a Grammy-winning artiste and afrobeat star has indeed shaken the fun stage and entertained his fans all year round with his entertaining and thrilling music.
On the 10th of June, 2023, Burna Boy became the first artist from Africa to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show organized by Pepsi. The singer took the stage at the Alatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, in front of more than 71,412 supporters and an audience of over 700 million people.
In July, he became the first African artist to headline and sell out a stadium show in the United States, headlining at Citi Field. He was also recognized by Billboard Magazine as the top afrobeat artist of the year 2023.
Meanwhile, at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, burna was awarded the inaugural Best Afro Beats award becoming the first African artist to win the award, as lead artist alongside Rema who won Best Afrobeat Song. In November he was nominated for four Grammy awards, making him the most nominated Nigerian artist in Grammy history with ten total career nominations and the first Nigerian to have nominations in five consecutive years, from 2019 to 2023.
For the second year in a row, Burna was named as the 2023 most streamed Sub-saharan African artist globally on Spotify. While congratulating African artists for their Grammy nominations, The Recording Academy described him as the biggest artist in Africa. Meanwhile, The Nation, an American magazine, has also named him the entertainer of the year for having an unrivaled and outstanding year.
DAVIDO
Nigerian-American Artist and songwriter, David Adeleke, is widely recognized as one the most popular Afrobeat artists globally.
The “Feel” crooner began his debut studio album Omo Baba Olowo in 2011 which eventually received nominations at the 2013 Headies Awards.
Davido’s last album, Timeless was released this year on the 31st of March after the demise of his son, Ifeanyi Adele in October 2022.
The 17-track album includes collaborations with Septa, Angelique Kidjo, Asake, and Focalistic, amongst others. The second single from the album “Unavailable” gained traction and charted across charts globally.
He also received a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album for Timeless alongside two other nominations: Best Global Performance for “Feel” and Best African Music Performance for “Unavailable”. This marked Davido’s first nomination at the Grammy Awards.
On the 18th of November, Davido shut down the Atlanta State Farm Arena with the A.W.A.Y (Are We African Yet?) Festival. He also received a standing ovation in Georgia, where he was recognized as an outstanding citizen for his contributions and achievements thus far.
MOHBAD
Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad was a Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter.
He was formerly signed to Naira Marley’s Marlian Records and left the label in 2022.
He was best known for his hit songs “Ponmo,” “Peace” “Beast and Peace,” “Sorry”, “Feel Good,” and “KPK (Ko Por Ke)”
Mohbad who is also referred to as “Imole” mysteriously passed on in the 12th of September 2023 at the age of 27.
His death shook and touched everyone nationwide which also led to a peaceful walk to seek justice for the young star in many states across the country
Prior to his death, he made public the threats to his life by his former record label boss, Naira Marley and said that he should be held responsible should anything happen to him.
However, there has been many controversies surrounding the artist’s death, his family, and wife.
The swiftness by his father to also lay his corpse to rest also sparked a lot of outrage nationwide. After much agitation from the public, his body was exhumed for an autopsy which is yet to be released.
On 18 September 2023, he ranked number 1 on TurnTable’s Official Artiste Top 100.
The “Feel Good” croner was loved and admired by many and particularly moved by his melodic and angelic vocals.
He will no doubt always be missed and remembered.
ODUMODUBLVCK
Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu, fondly known as Odumodublvck, is mostly known for his chart-topping rapping skills.
In March 2023, he released his first single on Friday 24, titled “Declan Rice”. The track recorded the highest all-time first-day streams on Spotify for any Hip-Hop/Rap song in Nigeria.
Additionally, on 27 March 2023, Odumodublvck earned his first top 10 entry on the TurnTable Official Nigeria Top 100 Songs chart at number 8. He also recorded a version for one of the biggest clubs, Arsenal, for the unveiling of their record signing.
FUNKE AKINDELE
Nigerian Actress, Funke Akindele, A.K.A Jenifa, has a track record of remarkable accomplishments, including her outstanding performances in various movies and TV shows.
In September, she released a series titled “She Must Be Obeyed”, which captured and centered around the unseen lifestyle of a musician in which she took the lead role.
Her latest movie release “A Tribe Called Judah” has also become the highest-grossing movie of 2023.
Funke’s production skills have been showcased in successful projects, and her influence as a role model for aspiring actors and actresses, especially in Nigeria’s vibrant film industry, Nollywood.
LAYI WASABI
Isaac Ayomide Olayiwo, also known as Layi Wasabi, is a lawyer and a skitmaker. He hails from Osogbo in Osun State.
Layi is mainly known for his blend of legal matters with comedic skills and also advertising, and marketing.
He has gained a lot of visibility over the year 2023 as he has partnered with a good number of brands and companies.
AYRA STARR
Beninese-born Nigerian singer, Ayra Starr, gained prominence in the music industry in a relatively short time. She burst onto the scene in 2021 under the Mavin Records label, capturing attention with her unique musical style and compelling vocals.
In 2023, Ayra Starr might have continued to make waves in the music industry with her distinctive sound, which blends elements of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop.
She also made it to Obama’s annual playlist for 2023 with her song titled ‘Sability’.
Her debut self-titled EP received acclaim for its maturity and depth, showcasing her songwriting skills and ability to craft soulful melodies that resonate with audiences.
LATEEF ADEDIMEJI
Lateef Adedimeji is a talented Nigerian actor known for his remarkable performances in Nollywood movies and television series. He’s gained recognition for his acting skills, versatility, and ability to embody diverse characters.
Adedimeji featured in Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun, where he played the role of “Gbotija”, a young man with the powers to speak to and control trees.
His dedication to his craft and his ability to portray characters with depth and authenticity have garnered him a significant following among audiences.
TEMS
Nigerian singer-songwriter, Tems, is known for her unique musical style, soulful voice, and captivating performances.
She rose to prominence in the music scene with hits like “Try Me” and “Damages.”
In 2023, Future, Drake, and Tems won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Wait for U”, therefore making her the first female Nigerian artiste to win a Grammy Award.
Furthermore, Tems was listed on the 2023 Time 100 Next list. She won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards.
On 5 October 2023, Tems released the single “Me & U”, which made it to Obama’s playlist for the year 2023. The track peaked at number 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart while in the United States, it reached number 10 on Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
Her soulful and distinctive sound, blending elements of R&B, soul, and Afrofusion, has earned her a dedicated fanbase both within Nigeria and internationally.
ASAKE
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Asake, is known for his unique music style, which fuses Afrobeat, hip-hop, and contemporary sounds.
He gained significant attention in the music industry with his hit song “Mr Money,” which garnered widespread popularity.
Additionally, he received a Best New International nomination at the 2023 BET Awards. He also won this year’s Next Rated category award.
In November 2023, Asake received his first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Award for “Amapiano” featuring Olamide, which also featured in Obama’s playlist for the year.
KIZZ DANIEL
Kizz Daniel, also known as Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer.
On 3 February 2023, he was announced by Audiomack alongside Snazzy the Optimist, Asake and Lucid as the top trending and most streamed artists.
He released a chart-topping track titled “Shu Peru” on 12 May 2023, which showcases his incredible artistry and unique musical style that has endeared him to millions of fans worldwide.
The “Woju” crooner released a new music titled, “Twe Twe”, which is currently trending globally and in the Nigerian music scene.